The Balloon Goes Up (1942) User Reviews

Girls in Uniform

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 16 February 2020]

Popular radio duo Ethel Revnell (the tall one) and Gracie West (the little one with the long nose) looked even more comical than they sounded, so they were naturals for movies and get to impersonate WAAFs and a pair of schoolgirls while stumbling across a pair of German spies engaged in stealing blueprints.

The title refers to barrage balloons and the daffy duo actually get to sing a title song exhalting them while we are treated to uplifting actuality footage of the real things in action.

Fun morale-raising caper

[loateslane · 7/10 · 17 October 2020]

Completely showing the stars' roots in music hall, this is a good-natured madcap romp through the WAAFs as they recruit to a barrage balloon unit. The last 5-10 minutes are almost entirely documentary-style footage of barrage balloon training and operation, well worth watching if you part of the 'lighter than air' crowd. Some daft songs, Winnie the Wench on the Winch a particular highlight! Cheap and cheerful, lots of fun.

Cheap And Awful, But Revnell & West Are OK

[boblipton · 4/10 · 18 January 2020]

Ethel Revnell and Gracie West are two odd ducks who want to join the defense force. Or perhaps they want to attend the dance a local lady bountiful is throwing for the lads and lasses of the barrage balloon forces. In any case, they do so, and confound some German spies along the way.

Revnell and West are new to me, but I've seen enough burlesque routines to recognize the Mutt-and-Jeff humor. This is the sort of act that appeared in the music halls, indulged in some dumb routines - their one-on-one timing is very good - then sang a novelty song and retired to cheers to make way for the next act. They do German double-talk, they torment Dr. Gordon McLeod like Harpo and Chico destroying Edgar Kennedy, then retreat to allow Donald Peers to sing a serious song.

It's the first time E.J. Fancey ever produced a movie, and it's among the direst of efforts. Looking at Fancey's later productions, it's hard to believe he ever learned anything, but here the credits are bollixed, with Miss West omitted, and Ronald Shiner credited twice, which is three times too many.

A poor thing, but it has some value for preserving one of the popular music hall teams of the era, and for some footage of a barrage balloon being raised.

Typical wartime fare

[malcolmgsw · 3/10 · 18 September 2015]

This film stars radio comedians Revnell and West and crooner Donald Peers.Top billed is Ronnie Shiner who would reach stardom after the war.The film does not have much of a plot.The girls tray to enlist in the WRAF so that they can attend a camp show.They borrow uniforms and attend the show where they perform a number.They are assigned to a barrage balloon detachment and sing another song.They try to get out of camp but they can't without a pass.They manage to escape from the camp.They hide in a house which is being used by spies.They manage to recover stolen secret papers.There is a chase and the spies are caught.At the end there is a sequence showing the balloon units in operation which is about the only thing of interest in the film.

Have to admit, they sort of grew on me...

[mark.waltz · 4/10 · 29 March 2019]

As unfamiliar as I was as a Yank with the British radio comedy team of Ethel Revnell and Gracie West, I must admit that approximately 20 minutes into this film, I began to become slightly amused by their silly antics. At first, I was horrified, finding their schtick to be something like what you would see in an early talkie short. Their comedy is very British Music Hall in style, overly broad and completely in your face.

One of the women is over 6 feet, and the other barely reaches her shoulders. but we're supposed to believe that they are mother and daughter, wanting to become involved in the war effort. They sneak their way into a canteen and perform several musical numbers which if you actually are able to pay attention you might find yourself laughing at and eventually with. Experts at disguising their voices in various ways, they manage to fool a doctor and the MP's searching for them, ultimately becoming heroes by uncovering a spy ring. Ridiculous? Yes. Silly? Without a doubt. Dated? Absolutely. Endearing? Reluctantly, I answer, yes. it is the type of film that you have to be in a certain mood for, but if you are in that mood, it ends up being an ok experience.

Silly and utterly gorgeous

[mcrboro · 8/10 · 17 October 2020]

Happening upon an oldie like this, thanks to Talking Pictures TV channel, is just fabulous. Funny, silly and endearing, these films are as much a history lesson as a comedy. Nostalgic, entertaining and fun. I loved it.